IES20010041A2

IES20010041A2 - A ladder

Info

Publication number: IES20010041A2
Authority: IE
Inventors: Isaac Gunnell
Original assignee: Isaac Gunnell
Priority date: 2001-01-19
Filing date: 2001-01-19
Publication date: 2002-07-24
Also published as: GB0200470D0; GB2372532A

Abstract

A ladder (1) having incorporated a stabilising device the stabilising device having two stabilising legs (13,14) each having a first pivoting end (15,16) and a second ground-engaging end (17,18), each leg (13,14) located at the rear of the ladder and the pivoting end (15,16) being pivotally mounted on side-rails (2,3) of the ladder at a position between the inner sides (4,5) of the side-rails (2,3) and at a position below the mid-point between the lower (7) and upper (6) ends of the side-rails and arranged so that the axis of pivoting of the legs (13,14) is substantially parallel to the rungs (8). The stabilising legs (13,14) move about the pivot between a position in which the legs are stowed in a position substantially parallel to the side-rails (2,3) and at least partly within the area bounded by the rungs (8) and the side-rails (2,3) to the rear of the ladder and an operating position in which the legs are inclined relative to the ladder. The legs also splaying to provide good stability against the ladder toppling side ways. Connecting means (20,22)connect at least one side-rail (2,3) to at least one of the legs (13,14), thus preventing, the operating positions of the legs, the inclination of the legs relative to the ladder increasing. The device prevents skidding and slippage of the ladder. <Figure 1>

Description

The present invention relates to the field of ladders. In particular the present invention relates to ladders having incorporated a stabiliser which helps to prevent the ladder from slipping or skidding.

Background of the Invention The problem of ladders slipping/skidding is well recognised. A person using a ladder may be injured if they fall from the ladder. It is therefore very desirable that a ladder does not skid or slip or otherwise move position while a person is standing on the ladder. Sudden movement of position can cause the person on the ladder to become unbalanced and to fall off, injuring themselves and/or others.

Step ladders are designed for climbing to relatively low heights. A conventional step ladder usually has four legs, two of which are provided by the side-rails of the climbing section of the step ladder, and two support legs pivotally connected to the top of the side-rails for propping the climbing section in a given position. In the operating position the support legs are inclined towards the side-rails. The ladder is normally foldable between a stowed position where the four legs are close to each other and an operating position where the stabilising legs and the support legs are splayed apart. The pivot axis is usually at, or close, to the upper end of the legs, and certainly well above the midpoint.

However even step ladders have a tendency to be unstable also. Stabilising devices have been proposed for step ladders. Examples of such stabilising devices are to be found in US Patent no's 46,105,485,900,1,135,763,1,235,969,3,901,354 and 4,433,754. Step ladders are limited in their application and in particular the height to which they can reach.

IHTCI. 7 ,. £obC Ml ' <1 ?/..

OPEN TO PUBUC INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 28 AND RULE 23 JNL No. _OF ll PQ2 ΙΕ ο 1 0 0 4 1 Other conventional ladders include straight ladders of the type having two side-rails and rungs extending between the side-rails. No support legs are used. These ladders are typically used for reaching more elevated positions. Typically the top end of the ladder is rested against a supporting structure such as a wall, tree etc. The base/lower legs of the ladder rest on the ground. In use the ladder is inclined toward the supporting structure so that part of the weight on the ladder is taken up by the supporting structure, the remainder being taken by the lower legs of the ladder. Many of these ladders are extendible (often called “extension ladders”) and comprise two or more ladder sections which may be extended or retracted relative to each other. Normally an upper section of the ladder is slidable relative to a lower section and can be locked in position relative to the lower section. In the extended position, particularly the fully extended position, a much greater height can be reached. The greater the reach of the ladder the more secure the ladder needs to be against movement. A particular problem with straight ladders is the tendency of the feet of the ladder to slip in a direction away from the supporting structure, possibly causing the person on the ladder to fall. Other dangers include the tendency of the ladder to slip to one side, possibly causing the ladder to topple over sideways. Many accidents involving ladders which skid or slip result in injury to users of ladders. Attempts have been made to stabilise straight ladders including providing stabilising legs on the ladders to help improve stability.

One problem particularly associated with extension ladders which comprise two or more ladder sections which are slidable relative to each other is that if the first (bottom) section of the ladder is taller than about 2 metres a person standing on the ground will not be able to push the extension section(s) of the ladder upwardly to a height greater than their own reach. Accordingly it is not unusual to see a user of a ladder to climb at least part of the way along the first section of the ladder to a position where they can slide the other section(s) of the ladder to the maximum extended position. Once on the ladder they can positron themselves so that the distance to the maximum extendible position is within reach. As the ladder is extended further its uppermost part rests against the wall or other support structure at a higher position. As the foot of the ladder does not move the net effect is that the angle between the underside of the ladder and the support surface on which it is placed increases. A problem with many of the prior art stabilising device is that they need to be fixed relative to the ladder before the ladder is climbed. Many devices therefore cannot accommodate the increasing angle of the ladder subsequent to the ladder having been initially positioned or in the event they do accommodate the extension of the ladder they lose a lot of their stabilising capability.

An example of a stabilising apparatus for attachment to an extension ladder is given in US Patent No. 4,899,849. The stabilising apparatus is said to inhibit sideways tipping and downward/rearward slipping of the ladder. The ladder is a conventional extension ladder. Extendible extension legs are attached to the lower section of the extension ladder on the outside of the side-rails. The legs are pivotally attached to the side-rails adjacent to the top end of the lower section of the ladder. An articulated brace extends between the legs and the associated ladder side-rails to limit the extent to which the legs may splay, thus providing a stabilising effect.

Alternative stabilisers for ladders include stabilisers which contact the ground and which are designed to hold the feet of the ladder from slipping. An example of one such device is found in UK Patent Application No. 2,306,548. Another device is described in US Patent No. 5,054,579, which discloses a ladder having an anchoring system which comprises stakes which may be driven into the ground to secure the ladder against slippage etc. A third alternative device is described in UK Patent No. 2,166,793 which provides a frame having brackets at one end to engage the side-rails of the ladder, and legs extending downwards to engage the ground. The legs are inclined to the side-rails of the ladder when the ladder is in the stabilising position.

US 1,521,814, US 2,574,289 and GB 2330 612 all disclose stabilising devices which are for attachment to the rungs of a ladder.

One commercially available anti-slippage device includes a device called Laddermate manufactured by Safety First (Europe) Ltd. The device comprises a stabilising frame which may be assembled. The stabilising frame fits through the rungs of the ladder and interacts with the rungs of the ladder to hold the ladder against slipping. Another commercially available device comprises a planar pad on which the feet of the ladder stand. The pad has an upright portion which engages with the ladder legs and helps prevent them from skidding. This device is available from Rojak Design in the UK and is called The Stopper. The disadvantage of separate stabilising devices is that they must be transferred with the ladder each time the ladder is moved. Laziness, or insufficient safety alertness on the part of the user of the ladder, may result in the stabiliser being discarded.

Co-pending Irish short-term patent application no. S990583 (Irish full term patent application no. 2000/0496 and UK patent application no. 0015018.5 all to the same applicant) described) a ladder having incorporated therein a stabiliser. In particular described in this document is a ladder with two stabilising legs each having a first pivoting end and a second ground-engaging end, each leg located at the rear of the ladder and the pivoting end being pivotally mounted on side-rails of the ladder. The stabilising legs are moveable about a pivot between a position in which the legs are stowed in a position substantially parallel to the side-rails and at least partly within a well area bounded by the rear of the ladder and an operating position in which the legs are inclined relative to the ladder. The ladder further has connecting means for connecting at least one side-rail to at least one of the legs, thus preventing, in the operating position of the legs, the inclination of the legs relative to the ladder increasing.

While the ladder described in the co-pending applications has proven useful the present invention seeks to provide an alternative construction which is at least as useful and which may provide even greater stability for a ladder to which it is attached. It is desirable also that the present invention provide a stabilising device which is easily stowed away when not in use and which does not interfere with the normal operation of the ladder particularly where the ladder is an extension ladder.

Object of the Invention ΙΕΟ 1 00 4 1 It is an object of the present invention to provide a ladder having an integral stabilising device which is easy to use and which is simple and reliable in construction. The term ladder' as used herein includes the lower section of an extension ladder comprising a lower section and adapted for use with one or more additional extension sections. In particular it is an object of the present invention to provide a ladder having incorporated therein a stabilising device which provides great stability yet which is easily stowable and does not interfere with the operation of the ladder in any detrimental way.

Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a ladder comprising: two opposing side-rails spaced a lateral distance apart having inner and outer faces and lower and upper ends; a series of rungs running transversely between the inner faces of the side-rails, the rungs being supported at opposing ends by each side-rail, the ladder having front and rear faces, and at least part of the side-rails extending rearwardly beyond at least some of the rungs to define a well at the rear of the ladder bounded by the side-rails and the rungs, the ladder also comprising: two stabilising legs each having a first pivoting end and a second ground-engaging end, each leg located at the rear of the ladder and the pivoting end being pivotally mounted on the side-rails at a position between the inner sides of the side-rails and at a position below the mid-point between the lower and upper ends of the side-rails and arranged so that the axis of pivoting of the legs is substantially parallel to the rungs, ΙΕΟ 1 0 04 1 the stabilising legs being moveable about the pivot between a stowable position in which the legs are stowed in a position substantially parallel to the side-rails and at least partly within the well and an operating position in which the legs are inclined relative to the ladder, the legs having a first stowable configuration, in which the lateral distance between the ground engaging ends of the legs is less than the lateral distance between the side-rails so that the legs are stowable in the stowable position, and an operating configuration in which the legs are splayed further apart so that in the operating position the lateral distance between the ground engaging ends of the legs is greater than the lateral distance between the side-rails; connecting means also being provided for connecting at least one side-rail to at least one of the legs, thus preventing, in the operating position of the legs, the inclination of the legs relative to the ladder increasing.

The ladder of the invention is stable, and provides an integral stabiliser. The stabiliser will move with the ladder when the ladder is moved, and is not therefore easily discarded. Furthermore the splaying of the legs means that greater stability is offered where the stabilising device is correctly employed as the further apart the legs reach the greater the angle created to the ladder and thus the greater the stability achieved particularly as regards the tendency of the ladder to topple over to the side.

Desirably the splaying action of the legs is provided by pivotally mounting the first pivoting end of the legs to the side-rails by a pivot which allows lateral pivotal movement of the legs (relative to the ladder). This configuration provides a particularly simple construction which is simple to manufacture yet which is reliable in use.

Desirably the stabilising legs each further comprise a connecting portion and a splaying portion, the connecting portion forming the pivoting end of each of the legs and comprising a pivotal attachment mounted on the side-rails at a position between the inner sides of the side-rails and arranged so that the axis of pivoting of the legs is substantially parallel to the rungs allowing for inclination of the legs relative to the ladder; and a pivotal attachment point between the connecting portion and the splaying portion to allow relative (lateral) splaying of the legs.

In a preferred arrangement at least one guide is formed on each of the connecting portions and the guide is arranged to guide movement of the legs to or from the splayed position. Desirably two spaced apart opposing guides are formed on the connecting portion and defining a guide channel therebetween in which the splaying portion of the leg is guided. It is desirable that pivotal movement of the leg about the pivotal attachment point allows for lateral displacement of the leg relative to the ladder.

The arrangement described above provides a convenient means of allowing the leg to pivot in two ways - firstly to adjust the angle of inclination of the legs relative to the ladder and secondly to allow relative lateral displacement (splaying) of the legs.

In one embodiment the legs are biased by biasing means (on the ladder) toward the splayed configuration of the operating position. This is a particularly convenient arrangement as the legs will thus assume the desired splayed position automatically. Furthermore the biasing means may also form part of a simple retaining mechanism. In particular it is desired that a stop is provided on each of the inner faces of the side-rails and projecting proud thereof at a position suitable to retain the legs in the stowed position. In one particularly simple arrangement the stops are arranged so that the legs may be moved into the stowed configuration past the stops if the legs are brought together laterally against the biasing means so as to be a lateral distance apart suitable to allow the legs past the stops. If the force or urging means which allow the legs past the stops is removed then the legs will automatically engage behind the stops when located past the stops. The legs may be brought together manually for example by holding the legs together. Alternatively one or more guides could be formed on the ladder to guide the legs past the stops to the engaged position as the legs are moved towards the stowed IE 0 1 0 Ο 4 1 position. This latter arrangement in particular would allow for automatic engagement of the legs behind the stops when the legs pass the stops and move apart laterally under bias from the biasing means.

In one simple arrangement the biasing means may be formed by a spring for example a tension spring though it will be clear to those skilled in the art that a compression spring or any other suitable biasing means may be used. The biasing means may be provided between each leg and the attachment.

In the embodiment where the legs are biased toward a splayed position it is desirable to provide a stop to limit the extent to which the legs splay. The stop may be formed by a part of the connecting portion against which the legs abuts.

Suitable the guides and the legs are arranged so that the guides provide resistance to non-axial twisting of the splaying portion of the legs about the pivotal attachment point. For example where the connector comprises an elongate housing (for example where the guides are formed as opposing walls and) and the splaying portion of the legs has an elongate head, the head and the housing may be mated so as to resist non-axial twisting of the legs. It will be appreciated that substantial forces will be transmitted to the attachment point when in particular the ladder is in its operating position.

The opposing spaced apart guides formed on the connecting portion and arranged so as define a leg guiding channel may be in the form of guiding rails though preferably are formed by two opposed walls formed on the connecting portion.

In one preferred embodiment the connecting portion has a bore defined therein which allows for pivotal attachment of the legs to the ladder. In one arrangement the bore is circular in cross-section and extends through the connecting portion.

The pivotal attachment point for the pivoting end of the leg will normally be arranged so as to allow lateral movement of the leg in a direction substantially orthogonal to the ΙΕΟ 1 0 04 1 pivotal movement about the first pivotal end. Provision of guides and in particular guides in the form of guiding walls on the connector is desirable as it helps the first pivoting end of the legs resist any torsional forces urging the leg to twist.

Desirably the legs are shaped so as to grip the ground in the operating position if the ladder starts to slip. In one embodiment the ground engaging ends of the legs are curved so as grip the ground. In one arrangement the ground engaging end of the legs are claw shaped so as to provide good grip against the ground.

In a preferred embodiment the two legs are independently pivotable. This arrangement is particularly useful where the ground etc. is uneven and/or of varying height.

Preferably the legs are about 10 - 20% longer than the length of the side-rails from the pivot to the bottom end of the side-rails. In one embodiment the pivot for the stabilising legs is located on the ladder about one third of the length of the ladder up from the lower end.

In a preferred arrangement the connecting means comprise a flexible tie. The advantage of this arrangement is that the stabilising legs can fold inwards towards the ladder, due to the flexible linkage, while the angle of inclination of the legs to the ladder can not increase beyond the limit determined by the tie. This is advantageous as for instance the tie can be put in place in a relaxed state and thus as described above when the angle of the ladder to the ground increases (for example due to extension after the stabilising device has been deployed) the tie becomes tauter so that greater resistance to the legs moving is achieved by the increasing tautness in the tie.

Preferably, the connecting means connect an attachment point at, or close to, the lower end of at least one side-rail to an attachment point, at, or close to, the ground-engaging end of at least one of the legs.

Suitably the legs fold back towards the top of the ladder in the stowed position. As stated above stops may be employed to retain the legs in the stowed position. In a ΙΕ ο 1 ο Ο 4 1 desired arrangement the legs have a breadth from front to rear which is not greater than the depth of the well, so that the legs stow away neatly within the well and there is no interference with handling of the ladder, for instance, placing on a roof rack or in a lorry etc. While it is usually convenient to provide the well at the rear of all the rungs it is also possible to confine the well to the region of the ladder where the legs will be stowed, e.g. the region above the pivot axis of the legs and having a height equal to the length of the legs. In this case the rungs can have greater depth in other regions of the ladder e.g. the lower region.

In a more preferred embodiment, in the stowed position, the stabilising legs at least partially block a foot space between at least two rungs on the ladder so that the ladder may not be climbed before the stabilising device is moved to the operating position. Suitably the catch mechanism automatically releases the legs from the stowed position when a climber of the ladder places a foot in a foot space on the ladder. This arrangement is a especially advantageous as it does not allow the ladder to be used without the stabilising device first being moved to its operating position. This means the ladder is safer to use as it may not be used without the benefit of the stabilising legs. Preferably the tie is connected at or close to a ground-engaging end of the stabilising legs and at least one cleat is provided on the ladder for engaging the tie. This means the stabilising device can be fixed in the selected operational configuration very quickly. The invention extends to a ladder substantially as described herein with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

Figure 1 shows a partial rear elevational view of a ladder of the invention with both stabilising legs in a splayed (operational) position; Figure 2 is a cut-away rear view of an upper part of a stabilising leg of the ladder of Figure 1 showing the right side-rail of the ladder (with the rungs removed) and the position of the leg in a non-operational (stowed) position; IE 0 1 004 1 Figure 3 is a cut-away rear view of an upper part of a stabilising leg of the ladder of Figure 1 showing the right side-rail of the ladder (with the rungs removed) and the position of the leg in an operational (splayed) position; Figure 4 is a partial perspective view from the front of the ladder of the right side-rail and the right stabilising leg of the ladder of the invention; Figure 5 is a side elevation view of that part of the right side-rail to which the right stabilising leg is attached; Figure 6 is a perspective view of an extension ladder of the invention showing the ladder in the operating position; and Figure 7 shows a partial rear elevational view of a ladder of the invention with one stabilising leg in a stowed position.

Detailed Description of the Drawings The ladder of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figures Ito 7.

Figures 1 to 7 show the ladder of the invention generally designated as reference numeral 1. As can most clearly be seen from Figure 6 the ladder is an extension ladder having a lower, bottom or first section or stile 30 and an upper or second extension section or stile 31 slidably mounted on the bottom section 30. It will be appreciated that the stabilising legs of the invention may be used with many types of straight ladder. As is conventional for extension ladders the extending section nests within the bottom section and is extendible/retractable by sliding relative to the bottom section 30. Guiding brackets 32 (Figure 6) are provided on each side-rail 2,3 close to the top of the bottom section 30. A pair of opposing stops 33 are provided on the inner faces of the side-rails of the upper section which hold the extendible section in its desired position. The sliding arrangement is well known to those skilled in the art and is not discussed in detail here. It is also conventional to have ladders which have more than one extension section of the ladder and such ladders are also included within the scope of the present invention.

For clarity only part of the bottom section 30 is shown in Figures 1 to 5 and 7 and as the section 30 is a ladder in its own right it shall be referred to as such. The ladder has two opposing side-rails 2,3, each side-rail having inner faces 4 and outer faces 5. The siderails have upper ends 6 and lower ends 7. A series of rungs 8 run between the inner faces 4 of the side-rails 2,3. The rungs 8 are supported by the side-rails 2,3 at opposing ends 9,10 of the rungs. The ladder 1 has a front (or climbing) face 11 and a rear face 12.

The ladder 1 further comprises two stabilising legs 13,14. The stabilising legs 13,14 have respective pivoting ends 15,16 and respective grounding engaging ends 17,18, Each leg 13,14 is located to the rear of the ladder 1. In an exemplary embodiment, the pivot is about 114 cm from the bottom end of the side-rails and the legs are about 132 cm long. Thus the legs are about 16% longer than the distance from the pivot to the foot of the ladder. The pivoting ends 15,16 are pivotably mounted between the side-rails 2,3 by a transverse member 19 which runs between the side-rails 2,3 at a position below the mid-point between the lower end 7 and upper end 6 of the side-rails. The pivot axis of the legs 13,14 about the transverse member 19 is therefore substantially parallel to the rungs 8. The inclination of the legs 13,14 relative to the ladder 1 is thus determined by the amount by which the legs 13,14 have pivoted about the transverse member 19. As can be seen for example from Figure 7 the side-rails extend rearwardly beyond the rungs to define a well at the rear of the ladder bounded by the side-rails and the rungs.

The stabilising legs 13,14 are moveable about the pivot formed by the transverse member 19 between a stowable position in which the legs are stowed in a position substantially parallel to the side-rails and at least partly within the well as shown in Figure 7 and the operating position shown in Figures 1,4,5 and 6 in which the legs are ΙΕΟ 1 BO 4 1 inclined relative to the ladder. The legs 13,14 are releasably engageable in the stowable position as will be described below.

The stabilising legs 13,14 each respectively further comprise a connecting portion 40,41 and a splaying portion 42,43. The connecting portion 40 forms the pivoting end of each of the legs 13,14. The connecting portions 40,41 each respectively comprise a pivotal attachment in the form of a tubular hinge portion or sleeve portion 44,45. This arrangement mounts the legs on the side-rails at a position between the inner sides of the side-rails and arranged so that the axis of pivoting of the legs is substantially parallel to the rungs allowing for inclination of the legs relative to the ladder.

Further provided are pivotal attachment points in the form of countersunk bolts 46,47 (through a bore in the connecting portion) between the connecting portion and the splaying portion (and about which the splaying portion can pivot) to allow relative splaying of the legs. In the embodiment the connecting portion takes the form of an elongate housing with an open mouth. In particular the tubular portions 44,45 form a blind end to the respective housings while two opposing plates 48,49 and 50,51 form sidewalls which act as guides. The pivotal attachment point is formed by providing bolts 46,47 transversely through opposing sidewalls 48,49; 50,51 of the housing and through a corresponding bore in the splaying portion 42,43 of the legs.

The pivotal attachment points 46,47 for the splaying portion of each leg will normally be arranged so as to allow lateral movement of the leg in a direction substantially orthogonal to the pivotal movement about the first pivotal end.

The sidewalls are arranged so that they act as guides providing resistance to non-axial twisting of the splaying portion of the legs about the pivotal attachment points. The splaying portions 42,43 of the legs each have respective elongate flat heads formed by two opposing plates 60 on opposite sides at the top of the stabilising legs. In the views of Figures 2 and 3 the rear plate 51 has been removed to allow for better depiction of the inside of the housing.

IE 0 1 0 0 4 τ It will be appreciated that the heads of the splaying portions and the housing are mated so as to resist non-axial twisting of the legs. It will be appreciated that substantial forces will be transmitted to the attachment point when in particular the ladder is in its operating position and for example when the weight of a person climbing the ladder is taken into consideration.

The housing formed on the connection portions form a leg guiding channel or socket. Taking for example the view of Figure 4 it will be appreciated that the connecting portion having a front wall 50, a rear wall 51, side walls 70,71 and a first open end or mouth 72 through which the splaying portion of the legs may be inserted. In the view of Figure 4 the tubular portion 16 which forms the blind or closed end of the housing has been omitted to show in better detail the transverse number 19 on which the housing pivots. In order to allow for ease of pivoting the pivots 46,47 are offset to one side of the splaying portion of the heads. Furthermore in view of the desirability to have a lack of interference with the pivoting of the legs a bevelled edge 80 is provided at the comer of the plates 60 closest the pivot 46,47 and a further bevelled edge 81 is provided at the other upper comer. This helps to provide any inadvertent abutment of the top end of the leg and the housing.

The legs are biased by biasing means in the form of a tension spring 85 (on the ladder) toward the splayed configuration of the operating position as best seen from Figure 2. This is a particularly convenient arrangement as the legs will thus assume the desired splayed position (shown in Figures 1 and 6). In the position shown in Figure 2 the leg 14 is in a non-splayed position and the spring 85 is highly tensioned between a first connector 85 on the hinge portion 16 and a second connector 87 on the upper part of the legs. When released the legs moving towards the portion of Figure 3 wherein the legs is ΙΕΟ 1 004 1 in a splayed position. The spring 85 extends through a space bounded by the plates 60 on opposing sides of upper ends 75,76 of the members forming the legs. Furthermore the spring 85 forms part of a simple retaining or lock mechanism.

In the configuration of Figure 7 the stabilising leg 14 has been moved into its stowed position. This is done by removing the tie 20 from the cleat 22 and pivoting the leg 14 upwards towards the upper end 6 of the side-rail 3. The leg is retained in position by a stop 90 under which it engages as shown in Figure 7. In particular the biasing action of the spring 85 ensures that the leg 14 is held in position behind the stop 90 so that the leg can be very simply and quickly engaged in the stowed position. The second leg 13 may be stowed in a similar manner. Both legs when stowed are within the well comprising the area, at the rear 12 of the ladder, bounded by the side-rails 2,3 and the rungs 8. The legs 13,14 are retained in a position where they do not project proud of the side-rails of the ladder.

The stops 90 are provided on each of the inner faces of the side-rails and projecting proud thereof at a position suitable to retain the legs in the stowed position. The stops 90 are arranged so that the legs may be moved into the stowed configuration past the stops if the legs are moved inwardly (for example brought together) laterally against the biasing force of the spring 85 as shown for leg 14 in Figure 7 so as to be a lateral distance apart suitable to allow the legs past the stops. The leg is then held in place by the rungs, the side rail 3 and the stop 90. Once the force urging the leg past the stop is removed then the leg automatically engages behind the stop. The legs may be brought together manually. Alternatively each leg may of course be stowed separately, for example as shown in Figure 7. Alternatively one or more guides could be formed on the ladder (for example as part of or proximate to, stops 90) to guide the legs past the stops to the engaged position. This latter arrangement in particular would allow for automatic engagement of the legs behind the stops when the legs pass the stops and move apart laterally to the stowed position under bias from the biasing means.

IF η 1 004 1 As the legs are biased toward a splayed position it is desirable to provide to stop to limit the extent to which the legs splay. As best seen from Figures 4 and 5 the stop may be formed by engagement of the (splaying portion of the) leg against the connecting portion. In the embodiment shown the (outside) side wall 71 forms a stop to prevent the legs moving past useful stabilising positions.

The ground engaging ends 17,18 of the legs are shaped so as to grip the ground in the operating position. As can be best seen from Figures 1 to 6 a curved or claw shaped portion 95 (with a pointed end) is formed on the ground engaging ends of the legs.

These are claw-shaped to provide good grip against the ground and tend to dig in further in the supporting surface should the ladder slip to any small extent.

In the operating configuration as best seen from Figures 1 and 6 the legs 12,13 splay so that the lateral distance between the ground engaging ends 17,18 of the legs is greater than the lateral distance between the side rails. In particular the lateral distance from the outside face 5 of the side-rail 2 to the outside face 5 of the side-rail 3 is substantially less that the lateral distance between the ground engaging ends 17,18 of the legs. The legs thus extend (in the operational position) on either side of the ladder to a position wide of the side-rails on either side of the ladder.

In the embodiment the splaying action of the legs 13,14 is provided by pivotally mounting the first pivoting end of the legs to the side-rails by a pivot which allows lateral pivotal movement of the legs. This configuration provides a particularly simple construction which is simple to manufacture yet which is reliable in use.

It is thus clearly seen that in the stowed configuration of the legs the lateral distance between the ground engaging ends of the legs is less than the lateral distance between the side walls so that the legs are stowable in the stowable position. In the operating configuration the legs are splayed further apart so that the lateral distance between the ΙΕΟ 1 004 f ground engaging ends of the legs is greater than the lateral distance between the siderails.

The legs 13,14 when unsplayed are fully located between the side-rails 2,3 though the pivoting end of the legs remains within the bounds of the side rails at all times being mounted there. Connecting or movement restriction means are provided by ties 20,21 which connect the legs 13,14 to the side-rails 2,3. The ties 20,21 are each permanently attached close to the ground-engaging ends 17,18 of the legs 13,14. The flexible ties 20,21 are each releasably engagable in cleats 22 as shown in Figures 1 and 6. The cleats 22 have a groove in which the ties 20,21 engage. Attachment members 28 are provided between the two members 26,27 forming each of legs 13,14 and are used for attaching the ties 20,21.

Figures 1 to 6 show the ladder 1 in its operating configuration. The upper end 6 of the ladder will be placed against a supporting structure for example a building and the lower end 6 will be on a supporting side usually the ground. The ladder 1 is inclined towards the supporting structure and rests on the ground 97 as shown in Figure 6. Slippage or skidding of the foot of the ladder in the direction of the arrow A is prevented by the ties 20,21 and the leg 13. As pressure is applied (such as for example as weight on the ladder increases) in the direction of arrow A the ground engaging ends 17,18 of the legs 13,14 grip the ground firmly and prevents movement of the ladder. Toppling to either side such as shown in Figures 6 by arrow B is well prevented by the splayed position of the legs. Each leg 13,14 is independently rotatable about the transverse member 19.

The stabilising legs 13,14 are arranged on the ladder so that if a person attempts to climb the ladder when the legs 13,14 are in the stowed position they cannot place a foot in a foot space between two consecutive rungs in the region in which the legs are stowed. An auxiliary or alternative release mechanism could also be provided to release legs when a foot is placed on a lower rung such as the lowest rung. ΙΕΟ 1 00 4 τ As best seen from Figure 5 a bracket 25 is provided for fixing the pivoting ends of the legs 12,13 to the inner faces 4,5 of the respective side-rails. The bracket 25 has two screws 29 for fixing each bracket 25 to the side-rails 2,3 as shown. For strength the stabilising legs comprise a tubular member 26 and a second reinforcing member 27 which are joined at their top ends by plates 60 and which are joined together part of the way down the legs close to the ground engaging ends thereof.

The ground-engaging ends of the legs 13,14 may be pointed or angled to provide a better grip for the legs.

Claims

1. A ladder (1) comprising: two opposing side-rails (2,3) spaced a lateral distance apart having inner (4) and outer faces (5) and lower (7) and upper ends (6); a series of rungs (8) running between the inner faces (4) of the side-rails, the rungs (8) being supported at opposing ends (9,10) by each side-rail (2,3), the ladder (1) having front (11) and rear faces (12) and at least part of the side rails (2,3) extending rearwardly beyond at least some of the rungs (8) to define a well at the rear of the ladder bounded by the side-rails (2,3) and the rungs (8), the ladder also comprising: two stabilising legs (13,14) each having a first pivoting end (15,16) and a second ground-engaging end (17,18), each leg (13,14) located at the rear of the ladder and the pivoting end (15,16) being pivotally mounted on the side-rails at a position between the inner sides (4,5) of the side-rails (2, 3) and at a position below the mid-point between the lower (7) and upper (6) ends of the side-rails and arranged so that the axis of pivoting of the legs (13,14) is substantially parallel to the rungs (8), the stabilising legs (13,14) being moveable about the pivot between a position in which the legs are stowed in a position substantially parallel to the side-rails (2,3) and at least partly within the well and an operating position in which the legs are inclined relative to the ladder, the legs having a first stowable configuration, in which the lateral distance between the ground engaging ends of the legs is less than the lateral distance between the side rails so that the legs are stowable in the stowable position, and an operating configuration in which the legs are splayed further apart so that in the operating position the lateral distance between the ground engaging ends of the legs is greater than the lateral distance between the side-rails; connecting means (20, 22) also being provided for connecting at least one side-rail (2,3) to at least one of the legs, thus preventing, in the operating position of the legs, the inclination of the legs relative to the ladder increasing.

2. A ladder according to claim 1 wherein the splaying action of the legs is provided by pivotally mounting the first pivoting end of the legs to the side-rails by a pivot (46,47) which allows lateral pivotal movement of the legs.

3. A ladder according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the stabilising legs each further comprise a connecting portion (40,41) and a splaying portion (42,43), the connecting portion forming the pivoting end of each of the legs and comprising a pivotal attachment mounted on the side-rails at a position between the inner sides of the side-rails and arranged so that the axis of pivoting of the legs is substantially parallel to the rungs allowing for inclination of the legs relative to the ladder; and a pivotal attachment point (46,47) between the connecting portion and the splaying portion to allow relative splaying of the legs.

4. A ladder according to claim 3 wherein at least one guide is formed on each of the connecting portions and the guide is arranged to guide movement of the legs to or from the splayed position.

5. A ladder according to claim 4 wherein two spaced apart opposing guides are formed on the connecting portion and defining a guide channel therebetween in which the splaying portion of the leg is guided. It is desirable that pivotal movement of the leg about the pivotal attachment point allows for lateral displacement of the leg relative to the ladder.

6. A ladder according to any preceding claim wherein the legs are biased by biasing means toward the splayed configuration.

7. A ladder according to claim 6 wherein the biasing means forms part of a retaining mechanism to retain the legs in the stowed position.

8. A ladder according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein a stop is provided on each of the inner faces of the side-rails and projecting proud thereof at a position suitable to retain the legs in the stowed position.

9. A ladder according to claim 8 wherein the stops are arranged so that each leg may be moved into the stowed configuration past a stop if the leg is urged against the biasing means to allow the leg past the stops.

10. A ladder according to claim 9 wherein the leg automatically engages behind the stop when located past the stop.

11. A ladder according to any preceding claim wherein a stop is provided to limit the extent to which each leg splays.

12. A ladder according to claim 1 wherein the stop is formed by a part of the connecting portion against which the legs abuts.

13. A ladder according to any one of claims 2 to 12 wherein pivotal attachment point for the pivoting end of the leg is be arranged so as to allow lateral movement of the leg in a direction substantially orthogonal to the pivotal movement about the first pivotal end.

14. A ladder according to any preceding claim wherein the legs are shaped so as to grip the ground in the operating position if the ladder starts to slip.

15. A ladder according to any preceding claim wherein the two legs are independently pivotable. IE 0 1 0 0 4 1 22

16. A ladder (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the connecting means (20,22) connect an attachment point at, or close to, the lower end of at least one side-rail (2,3) to an attachment point, at, or close to, the ground-engaging end (17,18) of at least one of the legs (13,14).

17. A ladder (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the legs (13,14) are about 10 -20% longer than the length of the side-rails (2,3) from the pivot to the bottom end of the side-rails.

18. A ladder (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the pivot for the stabilising legs is located on the ladder about one third of the length of the ladder up from the lower end.

19. A ladder (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the connecting means comprises a flexible tie.

20. A ladder (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the legs (13,14) fold back towards the top of the ladder in the stowed position.

21. A ladder (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the stabilising legs (12,13) have a breadth from front to rear which is not greater than the depth of the well.

22. A ladder (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the stabilising legs at least partially (13,14) block a foot space between at least two rungs of the ladder so that the ladder may not be climbed before the stabilising device is moved to the operating position.

23. A ladder (1) according to any one of claims 19 to 22 wherein the tie is connected at or close to a ground-engaging end of the stabilising legs and at least one cleat is provided on the ladder for engaging the tie.

24. A ladder (1) substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.